Counselor’s Corner Issue 11

Hello, you precious teachers!

Every November 30th I am under stress. Not because of expectations from my employer, or demands on my to-do list, or deadlines that I must meet. Nope. I'm sweating it because I have to fill my refrigerator countdown calendar! This task looms over me for several days, nagging me and snagging me from sleep and peace.

What is the refrigerator countdown calendar, you might ask? Well, it's a non-threatening felt-pocketed Christmas tree that I fill every year with fun family events, activities, and traditions. When I dreamt up this idea years ago as a stay-at-home mommy with toddlers (Curse you, Target Dollar Spot, for spurring this idea in the first place!), I had plenty of time and considered it my full-time job to create beautiful experiences for my children. Now, years and several career changes later, I am juggling multiple "hats" and have little time to dream up 25 days of memories.

So this year, on November 30th, as I pulled the Fridge Threat from the Christmas box, I had to stop myself and ask something I never had before: "Will anyone miss this if I don't do it?" The answer came to me in a flash: "No! If I don't put the Countdown Calendar on the fridge, it won't be noticed!"

After talking to several of you who worked throughout Thanksgiving break, I hope you will ask yourselves the same question: "Will anyone miss this if I don't do it?" So often, I believe, the driving force of our stress is not the expectations coming from others, but rather the expectations coming from OURSELVES. So, while your "November 30" moment is coming into school on Sundays or working late into the night, stop and ask, "Is this a must-address stressor or a self-imposed stressor?" Whatever your answer, I pray that you'll weigh the payoff of your stress before you stress it!

Protectively for you,
Mindy